The Board of Commissioners of the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District will hold budget workshops at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 8 and 27 at Station 104, at 3102 S.W. 16th St.

The public is invited to attend; the workshops are open to all.

Budgetary and fiscal matters will be discussed, including the 2013-14 fiscal budget and other business to come before the board. No decisions will be made by the board during the workshops.

Those requiring special aid or services due to a disability can contact Chief John Wayne at the fire department at (239) 303-5300.

Children score Miracle tickets for reading

The Fort Myers Miracle and Wendy's are teaming up to promote a summer full of reading with the 14th year of the Books & Bats reading program.

Kids can pick up a Books & Bats bookmark at any Lee County library, participating Wendy's in Lee County and Hammond Stadium. Readers record the books they read and return the completed bookmark to any participating Wendy's.

The aspiring bookworms will receive two tickets to a Miracle game and a free Jr. Frosty from Wendy's. Tickets can be redeemed at the Aug. 9 game.

Miracle tickets can be used by children and parents. All K-8 children are eligible to participate in Books & Bats. Participation is unlimited during the summer.

For information, call the Miracle offices at (239) 768-4210.

Community Plan Workshop planned

A Lehigh Acres Community Plan Workshop will be held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 10 at the East County Regional Library, at 881 Gunnery Road N.

The topic will be the "Planning and Design Study Draft."

Alzheimer's caregivers support group to meet

The Alzheimer's caregivers support group will meet at 2 p.m. Aug. 19 at the Lehigh Acres United Way House, at 201 Plaza Drive, Suite 3. For information, call 437-3007.

Lehigh Singers to host fund-raiser

The Lehigh Singers will host a fund-raiser at 7 p.m. Aug. 24.

There will be a live auction and several silent auctions, along with provided entertainment. The cost is a $5 cover charge per person.

Donations for the group can also be mailed to Lehigh Singers, Attn: Joan Starr, 1020 Columbus Ave., Lehigh Acres, FL 33972. She can be reached at (239) 369-2052.

'Spray Off' scheduled for October

In October, the Lehigh Acres Community Initiative, Keep Lee County Beautiful and the Lee County Sheriff's Office will host the 2013 Spray Off.

The competition allows youth to apply their mixed media artistic talents using spray paint on appropriate canvas and not on local homes, businesses and vehicles.

Twelve participants will be selected to enter the second round to paint from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 26 at Veterans Park.

All artwork will be displayed at the Lehigh Makes a Difference Day, which will take place the same day at the park from 3 to 8 p.m.

Registration forms are available at the East Lee County Library or online at: LehighAcresCommunity-Initiative.com.

The deadline to register and send in artwork is Sept. 27.

Pickin' In The Park set

Musicians come together to perform during Pickin' In The Park from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at the lodge by the lake at the rear of Veterans Park.

The public is welcome to join in playing or just enjoy the music. There is no charge.

For information, call (239) 369-1521.

Arthritis water exercise class offered at pool

Sponsored by the National Arthritis Foundation, a free exercise class will be held at 11:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Lehigh Community Park pool, at 1400 W. Fifth St.

Suitable for every fitness level, exercises focus on the activities of daily living, moving a joint through a range of motion and holding it to feel a gentle stretch in the muscle.

Guided by an Arthritis Foundation certified instructor, the 45-minute class is held in chest-deep water; no swimming ability is required. Lifeguards are always on-duty, and the pool has handrails and shallow steps leading in.